LONOKE COUNTY, Ark. — On the evening of December 4, an Arkansas State Police (ASP) trooper discovered over 800 pounds of marijuana during a routine traffic stop on a vehicle on Interstate 40 in Lonoke County.
After detecting the strong smell of marijuana, the trooper searched the vehicle and located six suitcases filled with a total of 869 pounds of illegal, high-grade cannabis.
The estimated value of the drugs is $3.6 million.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as 33-year-old Rene Rodriuez of Brazil. He informed officials that he was driving from California to Miami, Florida.
He was taken into custody and charged with drug trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia. Additional charges may result from an investigation being conducted by ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
